‘Isolated’ young generation advised to come out of digital world and socialize face-to-face

Sydney, Feb 17: Children of the digital age, who are often plugged in online and are increasingly disconnected with the real world, have been advised to become urban planners and create spaces where they can socialize offline.

The advice was made by Warringah Council who was alarmed by research that revealed that there were high rates of social disconnection among generation Y.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the findings from a survey by the northern beaches council of 1000 young residents found high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and isolation from their community.

The study of people aged between 12 and 24 contained in the council’s youth strategy released last week found 66 percent felt anxious, stressed and depressed on a regular basis and felt disconnected from their peers and community.

Councillor Vanessa Moskal, 21, said members of her generation had grown up with social media, but their real-world relationships might be suffering as a result.

She said that we have great opportunities to spend time with friends online, but added that that’s partly been at the expense of face-to-face time.

She added that a lot of the young people in the survey commented on that sense of disconnect.’

To combat the social disconnect, Warringah Council is asking young people to help plan public places where they can socialize in person rather than on screen, the report added. (ANI)